'Love Boat' cast to reunite to christen Regal Princess

The original Love Boat cast will serve as godparents for Regal Princess.(Photo: Princess Cruises)

Princess Cruises is looking to its past to honor its newest ship.

The company has called on the original Love Boat cast members — the people that gave us Captain Stubing, Gopher, Isaac, Doc, Julie and Vicki — to christen and serve as godparents of its new vessel, Regal Princess.

The ceremony, which also will kick off the company's 50th anniversary celebration in 2015, is scheduled for November 5 in Fort Lauderdale.

The pilot episode of The Love Boat was shot aboard Princess' 730-passenger original Sun Princess in 1977. The sometimes campy, but beloved show lasted for 10 seasons and cemented a relationship with the cast members and Princess. Most episodes were filmed aboard the Pacific Princess and Island Princess, although later episodes and specials featured other Princess Cruises ships.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that my former cast mates and I will be part of Regal Princess' U.S. debut," says Gavin MacLeod in a statement. He has served as a Princess Cruises spokesman and ambassador since the show ended in 1986. "The fact that The Love Boat continues to air in international syndication around the globe is a testament to the show's longevity and the world's fascination with romance on the high seas."

The new ship, the 3,560-guest Regal Princess, entered service in May. Its arrival in Fort Lauderdale begins its maiden Caribbean season.

"We can think of no more suitable godparents for our newest ship than the cast of the show that put Princess Cruises on the map," Jan Swartz, the line's president, says in a statement. "The show has been such a visible part of our company's history, it made sense to kick off our anniversary celebrations with this special tribute."

For a deck-by-deck look inside the new Regal Princess, click through the carousel below:

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25. Regal Princess. Built in 2014, Regal Princess is a sister ship to Royal Princess that also measures 142,714 tons. Like Royal Princess, it is part of the line's new Royal Class of ships.
Princess Cruises

As with the Piazza on the Royal Princess, the Piazza on the Regal Princess is 50% larger than similar spaces on previous Princess ships and features natural lighting from curving walls of glass facing the sea.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Piazza is home to a wine bar, pizzeria and other food and drink outlets spread over three decks, including Ocean Terrace (shown here) -- a seafood bar that first debuted on Royal Princess.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Located at the base level of the Piazza on Deck 5 is the International Cafe, which serves up espresso drinks (for an extra charge) as well as pastries, panini sandwiches and fresh-baked cookies.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Princess Theater, the Regal Princess' main theater, is notable for a design that doesn't have pillars blocking views. It's home to production shows and other nightly entertainment.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Located adjacent to the Crown Grill is the WheelHouse Bar, another Princess staple. It serves pub lunches daily in addition to a drink menu that include a variety of whiskey flights.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Regal Princess' buffet eatery is twice as large as those on most previous Princess ships -- a nod to growing demand for casual dining on cruise ships. It's split into two areas, the Horizon Court (shown here) and the Horizon Bistro.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

This item was written by Larry Bleiberg, former travel editor of The Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine. Bleiberg is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.